As mentioned in several places, the final exam is comprehensive and will be composed of 100 multiple choice questions. Lecture students must come to class with a scantron and a #2 pencil.
We will lecture in class over how these topics fit together, but focus your studying on the following:
issues related to “keeping the republic”
why you have to take two government classes to get a degree in the state
definitions of “government” and politics”
a precise definition of tyranny
the impact of the Magna Carta
the impact of the British Bill of Rights
John Locke and Thomas Hobbes contribution to political theory
ideology
the principle differences between liberalism and conservatism
sovereignty
autocracy, oligarchy, democracy
constitutionalism
the definition of “constitution”
the argument in the Declaration of Independence
the consent of the governed
the factors leading to the Constitutional Convention
the content of the U.S. Constitution including key components
the functions of the three branches of government
be able to define what the subject of each of the articles is
the debate over the Bill of Rights
the content of the first ten amendments
substantive liberties
procedural liberties
the Anti-Federalists’ concern over the design of the Constitution
the main points made in Federalists #10 and #51
how human nature is accounted for in the design of the Constitution
the purpose of the separated powers
how powers are separated, elections specifically
the compromises which led to the dual sovereignty
delegated, reserved and implied powers
the conflict over the meaning of the commerce clause
As mentioned in several places, the final exam is comprehensive and will be composed of 100 multiple choice questions. Lecture students must come to class with a scantron and a #2 pencil.
We will lecture in class over how these topics fit together, but focus your studying on the following:
issues related to “keeping the republic”
why you have to take two government classes to get a degree in the state
definitions of “government” and politics”
a precise definition of tyranny
the impact of the Magna Carta
the impact of the British Bill of Rights
John Locke and Thomas Hobbes contribution to political theory
ideology
the principle differences between liberalism and conservatism
sovereignty
autocracy, oligarchy, democracy
constitutionalism
the definition of “constitution”
the argument in the Declaration of Independence
the consent of the governed
the factors leading to the Constitutional Convention
the content of the U.S. Constitution including key components
the functions of the three branches of government
be able to define what the subject of each of the articles is
the debate over the Bill of Rights
the content of the first ten amendments
substantive liberties
procedural liberties
the Anti-Federalists’ concern over the design of the Constitution
the main points made in Federalists #10 and #51
how human nature is accounted for in the design of the Constitution
the purpose of the separated powers
how powers are separated, elections specifically
the compromises which led to the dual sovereignty
delegated, reserved and implied powers
the conflict over the meaning of the commerce clause
strict and loose readings of the Constitution
the 14th Amendment
the equal protection clause
strict scrutiny, intermediate review, rational basis review
the purpose and types of elections
voter turnout – who votes – who doesn’t
direct and indirect democracy
the amendments that expanded suffrage
the argument over expanding suffrage
gerrymandering: types, consequences
the apportionment process, redistricting, Baker v Carr
the management of elections
primary and general elections
party activists, party identifiers, the party base
who identifies with each party
the impact of elections on representation
winner take all elections v proportional representation
the origins and purposes of political parties
third parties
party factions, party coalitions
George Washington on parties
sedition
the freedom of speech and conscience
the marketplace of ideas
limits on substantive liberties
fundamental American values, agreement and disagreement
how public opinion polls work
the role of a free press in a democratic republic
the media
propaganda
copyright
protections for journalists
freedom of assembly and petition
lobbying – definition, impact
interest groups – definition, impact
the free rider problem
agency capture
iron triangles
the revolving door